Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “WIND EFFECT”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 973 records · Page 54

Shock acceleration of energetic particles in corotating interaction regions in the solar wind

A simple shock model for the acceleration of energetic particles in corotating interaction regions (CIRs) in the solar wind is presented. Particles are accelerated at the forward and reverse shocks which bound the CIR by being compressed between the shock fronts and magnetic irregularities upstream from the shocks, or by being compressed between upstream irregularities and those downstream from the shocks. Particles also suffer adiabatic deceleration in the expanding solar wind, an effect not included in previous shock models for acceleration in CIRs. The model is able to account for the observed exponential spectra at earth, the observed behavior of the spectra with radial distance, the observed radial gradients in the intensity, and the observed differences in the intensity and spectra at the forward and reverse shocks.

Fisk, L. A.↗

Temporal and spatial variations of the Chesapeake Bay plume

Historical records and data obtained during the Superflux experiments are used to describe the temporal and spatial variations of the effluent waters of Chesapeake Bay. The alongshore extent of the plume resulting from variations of freshwater discharge into the Bay and the effects of wind are illustrated. Variations of the cross sectional configuration of the plume over portions of a tidal cycle and results of a rapid underway water sampling system are discussed.

Ruzecki, E. P.↗

Wind-tunnel investigation of the effects of blade tip geometry on the interaction of torsional loads and performance for an articulated helicopter rotor

The Langley transonic dynamics tunnel was used to determine the degree of correlation between rotor performance and the dynamic twist generated by changes in blade tip geometry using an articulated rotor with four different tip geometries at advance ratios of 0.20, 0.30 and 0.35. Based on the data obtained, it is concluded that: (1) there appears to be no strong correlation between blade torsion loads and rotor performance prediction; (2) for a given rotor task at each advance ratio investigated, both the azimuthal variation of torsional moment and the mean torsional moment at 81% radius are configuration dependent; (3) reducing the nose down twist on the advancing blade appears to be more important to forward flight performance than increasing the nose down twist on the retreating blade; (4) the rotor inflow model used was important in predicting the performance of the adaptive rotor; and (5) neither rigid blade solidity effects, inflow environment, nor blade torsion loads can be used alone to accurately predict active rotor performance.

Yeager, W. T.↗

Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 11th, Houston, TX, March 17-21, 1980, Proceedings. Volume 3 - Physical processes

Geophysical investigations are discussed, taking into account laboratory measurements, planetary measurements, and structural implications and models. Impact processes are also examined. Experimental studies are considered along with aspects of crater morphology and frequency, and models theory. Volcanic-tectonic processes are investigated and topics related to the study of planetary atmospheres are examined. Attention is given to shallow moonquakes, the focal mechanism of deep moonquakes, lunar polar wandering, the search for an intrinsic magnetic field of Venus, the early global melting of the terrestrial planets, the first few hundred years of evolution of a moon of fission origin, the control of crater morphology by gravity and target type, crater peaks in Mercurian craters, lunar cold traps and their influence on argon-40, and solar wind sputtering effects in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus.

Merrill, R. B.↗

The effects of random errors in rawinsonde data on derived kinematic quantities

The sensitivity of kinematic parameters to random errors contained in rawinsonde data is assessed. Parameters under consideration include relative vorticity, vorticity advection, horizontal divergence, kinematic vertical motion, and temperature advection. It is shown that horizontal divergence is the most affected, with reliability a function of height. Vorticity advection is the next most altered by random error, and in this case, the effects of wind errors are greater on the gradient of vorticity than on the vorticity itself. Vertical motions are most affected by random perturbations at 300 mb and above, and temperature advection is found to be the least sensitive to random perturbations.

Belt, C. L.↗

Transonic empirical configuration design process

This lecture describes some of the experimental research pertaining to transonic configuration development conducted by the Transonic Aerodynamics Branch of the NASA Langley Research Center. Discussions are presented of the following: use of florescent oil films for the study of surface boundary layer flows; the severe effect of wind tunnel wall interference on the measured configuration drag rise near the speed of sound as determined by a comparison between wind tunnel and free air results; the development of a near sonic transport configuration incorporating a supercritical wing and an indented fuselage, designed on the basis of the area rule with a modification to account for the presence of local supersonic flow above the wing; a device for improving the transonic pitch up of swept wings with very little added drag at the cruise condition; a means for reducing the large transonic aerodynamic interference between the wing, fuselage, nacelle and pylon for a for a fuselage mounted nacelle having the inlet above the wing; and methods for reducing the transonic interference between flows over a winglet and the wing.

Whitcomb, R. T.↗

International Ultraviolet Explorer Observations of Wolf-Rayet Binaries: Wind Structures

Spectra of six WN + OB Wolf-Rayet systems obtained with the IUE are analyzed for phase-dependent variations. Periodic variability at emission-line frequencies is detected in V444 Cyg, HD 90657, HD 211853, HD 186943 and HD 94546 on low dispersion SWP images. No changes in the low dispersion spectra of HD 193077 are apparent. We find the variations in the UV to be similar in nature to those observed in optical spectra of various WR sources. That is, there is a strengthening of absorption components in P Cygni-type features at orbital phases in which the O-star is behind the WR wind. With the aid of a computer code which models this type of variations, and through a comparison with HD 193077, the dominant mechanism producing the variations is shown to be selective atmospheric eclipses of the O-star by the WR wind. Based on this interpretation, a straightforward technique is applied to the line of N IV 1718, by which an optical depth distribution in the WN winds of the form tau varies as r(-1) is derived for 16 r 66 solar radii. Phase-dependent variations in the width of the C IV 1550 absorption component in V444 Cyg, HD 90657 and HD 211853 are interpretated as wind-wind collision effects.

Koenigsberger, G.↗

Calculation of vertical and ramp-assisted takeoffs for supersonic cruise fighters

A procedure that allows rapid preliminary evaluations of the vertical, short, and normal takeoff performance of supersonic cruise aircraft concepts was developed into a numerical computer program. The program is used to determine the effects on takeoff performance of various parameters, such as thrust-weight ratio, wing loading, thrust vector angle, and flap setting. Ramp-assisted takeoffs for overloaded configurations typical of a ground-attack mission are included. The effects of wind on the takeoff performance are also considered.

Liu, G. C.↗

Electron densities and temperatures in the Venus ionosphere Effects of solar EUV, solar wind pressure and magnetic field

The Venus ionosphere is influenced by variations in both solar EUV flux and solar wind conditions. On the dayside the location of the topside of the ionosphere, the ionopause, is controlled by solar wind dynamic pressure. Within the dayside ionosphere, however, electron density is affected mainly by solar EUV variations, and is relatively unaffected by solar wind variations and associated magnetic fields induced within the ionosphere. The existence of a substantial nightside ionosphere of Venus is thought to be due to the rapid nightward transport of dayside ionospheric plasma across the terminator. Typical solar wind conditions do not strongly affect this transport and consequently have little direct influence on nightside ionospheric conditions, except on occasions of extremely high solar wind dynamic pressure. However, both nightside electron density and temperature are affected by the presence of magnetic field, as in the case of ionospheric holes.

Elphic, R. C.↗

A preliminary evaluation of the generalized likelihood ratio for detecting and identifying control element failures in a transport aircraft

The application of the Generalized Likelihood Ratio technique to the detection and identification of aircraft control element failures has been evaluated in a linear digital simulation of the longitudinal dynamics of a B-737 aircraft. Simulation results show that the technique has potential but that the effects of wind turbulence and Kalman filter model errors are problems which must be overcome.

Bundick, W. T.↗

Fire control method and analytical model for large liquid hydrocarbon pool fires

The dominate parameter governing the behavior of a liquid hydrocarbon (JP-5) pool fire is wind speed. The most effective method of controlling wind speed in the vicinity of a large circular (10 m dia.) pool fire is a set of concentric screens located outside the perimeter. Because detailed behavior of the pool fire structure within one pool fire diameter is unknown, an analytical model supported by careful experiments is under development. As a first step toward this development, a regional pool fire model was constructed for the no-wind condition consisting of three zones -- liquid fuel, combustion, and plume -- where the predicted variables are mass burning rate and characteristic temperatures of the combustion and plume zones. This zone pool fire model can be modified to incorporate plume bending by wind, radiation absorption by soot particles, and a different ambient air flow entrainment rate. Results from the zone model are given for a pool diameter of 1.3 m and are found to reproduce values in the literature.

Fenton, D. L.↗

IUE observations of phase-dependent variations in WN + O systems

IUE observations of six WN + O Wolf-Rayet (W-R) systems are reported. The periodic variations in five of the systems are shown to result primarily from selective atmospheric eclipses of the O star continuum by the W-R wind. An optical depth distribution of the form tau inversely proportional to radius is suggested for radii greater than 14 solar radii. Phase-dependent variations in the C IV 1550 absorption components in V444 Cyg, HD 90657, and HD 211853 are interpreted as wind-wind collision effects.

Koenigsberger, G.↗

A simple, accurate and efficient algorithm for unsteady transonic flow

The derivation of an algorithm for computing an airfoil's response to small unsteady perturbations is described. The analysis of the far-field boundary conditions for the flow field, and the application of the time-linearization technique to develop an accurate description of the flow field are discussed. The treatment of moving shock waves is examined. The alternating direction implicit scheme of Ballhaus and Steger (1975) is utilized for the discretization of the governing equations and boundary conditions. Numerical examples demonstrating the applicability of the time-linearization method to determine the correlation between airfoil and pressure distribution are provided. The effect of wind tunnel walls on unsteady transonic testing is studied.

Fung, K.-Y.↗

Molecular cloud evolution and star formation

The present state of knowledge of the relationship between molecular clouds and young stars is reviewed. The determination of physical parameters from molecular line observations is summarized, and evidence for fragmentation of molecular clouds is discussed. Hierarchical fragmentation is reviewed, minimum fragment scales are derived, and the stability against fragmentation of both spherically and anisotropically collapsing clouds is discussed. Observational evidence for high-velocity flows in clouds is summarized, and the effects of winds from pre-main sequence stars on molecular gas are discussed. The triggering of cloud collapse by enhanced pressure is addressed, as is the formation of dense shells by spherical outflows and their subsequent breakup. A model for low-mass star formation is presented, and constraints on star formation from the initial mass function are examined. The properties of giant molecular clouds and massive star formation are described. The implications of magnetic fields for cloud evolution and star formation are addressed.

Silk, J.↗

Transonic airfoil calculations including wind tunnel wall-interference effects

The results of Reynolds-averaged time-dependent inviscid and turbulent compressible Navier-Stokes computations using the implicit finite-difference approach of Steger (1978), modified by incorporating a pressure boundary condition, (PBC) to account for wall interference are compared with experimental data on a NACA 64A010 airfoil (Johnson and Bachalo, 1980) in graphs and briefly characterized. The computational approach is the same as that used by King and Johnson (1980), but a 137 x 50 mesh is used instead of a 97 x 35 mesh, and special care is taken in resolving the nose, shock, and trailing-edge regions. Imposition of PBC is shown to improve significantly the accuracy of the computations for the flowfield on the upper surface of the airfoil, shifting the shock forward to its experimentally measured position in the case of turbulent flow. The failure of the method, even with PBC, to match the experimental shock location in the case of a flow with a separation bubble is attributed to inadequacies in the algebraic turbulence model employed (Baldwin and Lomax, 1978).

King, L. S.↗

Mars to earth optical communication link for the proposed Mars Sample Return mission roving vehicle

The Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission planed for 1989 will deploy a rover from its landing craft to survey the Martian surface. During traversals of the rover from one site to the next in search of samples, three-dimensional images from a pair of video cameras will be transmitted to earth; the terrestrial operators will then send back high level direction commands to the rover. Attention is presently given to the effects of wind and dust on communications, the architecture of the optical communications package, and the identification of technological areas requiring further development for MSR incorporation.

Sipes, Donald L., Jr.↗

A comparison of adiabatic and diabatic forcing in an intense extratropical cyclone system

The roles of adiabatic and diabatic forcings in the development of a cyclone are examined. The two types of height tendency equations (classical quasi-geostrophic and extended forms) employed to solve for height tendency are described. The extended equation, in which geostrophic wind is replaced with observed wind, the effects of diabatic heating are added, and three-dimensional varying static stability is permitted, is utilized to analyze the evolution of the January 9-11, 1975 cyclone event. The analysis reveals that vorticity advection has a primary effect on the movement and propagation of the wave system; the differential thermal advection has a secondary, but significant role in wave development; latent heating effects are minimal; and the vertical advection of static stability slows the propagation and development of the wave.

Tsou, Chih-Hua↗

Early shaping of asymmetrical planetary nebulae

It is suggested that the shape of a young asymmetrical planetary nebulae may be influenced by a close binary-star located at its center. This binary is a relic of the common envelope phase, presumably through which the asymmetrical planetary nebula evolved. It is assumed that, for a short period of time, shortly after the cessation of the slow wind and long before the fast wind becomes effective, the binary ejects a small amount of mass, mainly in the equatorial plane. By using two-dimensional hydrodynamics it is found that, at late times, the high-density region has a 'horsehoe' shape, as viewed in the symmetry plane. There is an instability in the maximum density region, which shows up as a high-density knot. The exact scale of the knot is determined by the numerics. The applications of the results to observations are discussed.

Soker, Noam↗